In 2009 government action to subpoena bloggers over Transport Safety Authority leaks led to many controversial debates. With the rising psychosis regarding national security and potential terrorist attacks, the United States other nations have strengthened national-security measures and Internet cyber criminality crackdowns. Any content posted by bloggers and other surfers that is perceived as potentially dangerous to international and national security is subject to subpoenas. Most anyone who is involved in a cyber lawsuit also will need to know the best method to subpoena bloggers who post illegal or untrue content.

Traditionally news reporters and publishers have, for years, been targeted by governmental institutions and other entities to disclose the sources of their confidential information.  However, the latter received the support of news institutions and lawyers to defend their rights and professional ethics to preserve the anonymity of their informants. In present days, bloggers are being subject to the same treatments both personally and professionally depending on what the content in question might be. The best method to subpoena bloggers might be exactly the same should you hire an attorney to represent you or if you are handing a lawsuit on your own. Indeed, it seems that it is becoming a common practice to serve subpoenas to bloggers, and one of the best means is to go through the appropriate federal institution.  

In the case of the United States Transportation Safety Authority, mass media reported that federal agents went to the residences of the two travel bloggers journalists to serve them subpoenas to find out the sources of the leaking information on security matters. The information that filtered out was the best method to subpoena bloggers in this case was to produce and allow the Federal agents to inspect and copy all the records listed in the subpoenas, including emails, faxes and other correspondences. Hence, with the documents, the agents had authority to inspect the bloggers’ computers and telephony devices.  

This case that was highly exposed case profile, exemplifies that subpoena bloggers have no other choice than to comply with the provision of the court. Failing which, they can either be subject to fines or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year. Although a blogger has the right and an obligation to project his or her sources as provided in the constitution, it becomes tricky when dealing with cyber laws and the government. In such instances, bloggers and any other people who are served a subpoena have no other choice than to call a lawyer and especially someone who is versed in subpoena cases to defend their rights.

The constitution provides for freedom of information and freedom of expression. In the case of these two bloggers, they disclosed confidential data pertaining to national security that was not to be disclosed to the public.  Although it is not always a case of national security but indeed knowing the guidelines and requirements necessary when you need to know what the best method to subpoena bloggers might be.